Question of the Week: 1 - 8/7/2000Who are you going to vote for and why?Which political platform or candidate are you leaning towards? Do you think that a level of political involvement is important to pagans? Are you registered to vote, will you vote and who -if you don't mind telling the world- are you planning to vote for (or against)?

The Green Party/ Ralph NaderYes. Without some kind of toehold in politics no changes will be able to be made within the system.Yes I am registered, will vote and will continue to vote Green here on in.

I could not wait to turn 18 so I could vote. While many people in my generation believe that voting is worthless, I believe it is not only my right, but my duty. I think that political involvement is important for many reasons. Being pagan, I often feel that the Right Wing politicians are constantly trying to force there beliefs down my throat. I'm a liberal and am truely independant. I'm still not sure who I will vote for in the presidential election, but after watching most of the republican convention I'm fairly sure it will not be George W. Bush!

Yes I'm registered to vote. I plan to vote for Gore. I think most of the crap the government does isn't worth my time. But Bush is way to into the Christian Coalition, and as an American, I will not have my religious freedom taken away. I don't necessarily believe in anything Gore says, but I would prefer a President who is neutral on relgion, than one who is so against anything but Christianity. I see scary things with Bush as president, so I'll vote for the guy who has a chance to beat him. To me that makes most sense. If I vote for someone else who has a slim chance of winning, even if I agree with him more, that gives Bush a better chance at winning. So hell no - I won't go. I may be the only one of my friends who will vote, but I believe in responsibility. If you let other people do the voting and don't bother - don't bother to complain. You let the fates handle your life instead of taking part in it. That goes against the whole principle freedom of the Craft. You Make your own life. Not let someone else dictate to you how to live....

The establishment always says, "if you don't vote, don't complain". Remember Richard Nixon???, I have given the system a chance for years.From that time on I have felt that the democratic system in this country is corrupt and will never be fair. I have felt that politicians are liars, and may have good intentions, once they are in office, they are controlled by forces that are not part of the public picture. No matter what the platform, no matter what the promise - the "real" government - conintues with their agenda.Yes, what a noble idealistic concept Democracy is, but from someone who was born in the Eisenhower era, saw Kennedy and MLK assasinated, watched Nixon's corrupt regime, eventually watched as a "New World Order" was brought into play with Geo. Bush. Yes I will vote. Because as a Pagan I feel very vulnerable. The Right Wing and Christian Zealot Coalitions are very powerful political entities. I see no Pagan representation except on grass roots levels. A Pagan politician would be committing political suicide to "come out".It is very important for us to continue to keep our voices heard, in local, state and national arenas.Yes, I will vote this year - and it will probably be for Ralph Nader.

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I'm 100% behind Gov. George W. Bush. I'm a Political Science major who generally identifies herself as a libertarian, and fears for this country if Al Gore gets elected. While I agree with Harry Browne more than Bush, I am reluctant to cast my vote for him since I would essentially be helping Gore. I am registered and active on several local campaigns, so I will definately turn out to vote.

I will say it loudly and proudly! Come November I will be voting for Harry Brown and the Libertarian party. The libertarians are the party of individual rights, and personal responsibility. They are committed to stripping the government down to the core functionality nessecary to run the country rather than supporting the industry of populace control through taxation.

People say that as a third party, the Libertarians have no chance. I say that if even half of those who agree with their philosopies went ahead and voted libertarian anyway, we could change the political climate of this country.

While I am not fond of either of the two presidential candidates, George W. Bush or Al Gore, who, by the polls, and statistically are the front-running contenders--I woul have to say I would rather choose the lesser of the two evils, which would be current Vice-President and democratic nominee Al Gore.

Republican condender, George W. Bush had lost my vote long ago with his anti-pagan statements about Wicca and similiar religions 'not being real religions', quotes are his.

I find it sad that someone who is to be the Chief Executive does not realize Wicca it's self has been a recognized religion since 1985, if I am correct on the date.

Now some may think that I'm just not voting for him because of some of his statements against paganism. That isn't it at all.

I will now compare Bush and Gore on how well they know their job.

First off, I will address the fact that Gore actually has a set job as vice-president and does some real 'grunt-work' helping out President Clinton.For those who don't know, George W. Bush, as governor of Texas, doesn't really do much. The Governorship of Texas is largely a symbolic position as he doesn't really have a lot of power, he obviously can't be doing much to make changes to his state as much as his state legislature and senate can--therefore he lacks executive skills in my opinion in areas of making important decisions concerning a large amount of people.

Second of all is foreign policy. Al Gore has traveled all around the world as Vice-President meeting dignitaries and heads of other nations, as well as supported President Clinton during his visits.

As for George W. Bush, he has virtually no foregin experience with other nations, he has spent the last eight years working for big oil companies, managing his pro-sports team, and being a pretend-governor in Texas while Gore has done a perfectly fine job the last eight years on foreign policy and related issues.

Third, big oil companies and related companies. George W. Bush hangs out with the rebublican rich, and I am almost positive, that if he is elected to the Whitehouse all the ecosystems and national park areas which have been saved under the Clinton Adminisration will slowly be eroded away as Bush's special interest big-time company buddies lobby him for more access to protected land to drill for oil, logging, housing, and you name it.

Fourth, and the one which frightens me the most. If George W. Bush is elected, he will also have the ear of the notoriously strong lobbying religious right, which has been very vocal, especially lately, about limiting personal religious and civil freedoms on many different fronts in this country, not to mention abortion, homosexuality, non-majority religion's rights, and so on.

As I have stated before, it's the Dems. for me this time. I am pleased to see that most pagans surveyed think before they vote, I guess we are a minority in two ways. I have been watching the posts closely and unfortunately many of us fail to realize the gravity of the particular election as it relates to us as pagans.

The next President could easily end up appointing Justices to the Supreme Court. You can vote for anyone Federal or Local because they believe what you want them to, but when push comes to shove, the Supreme Court rules (literally). Even though I do not believe that you will ever lose you right to choose or your freedom of religion (and neither does the Christian Coalition really), a conservative court could easily allow: REGULATION.

Regulation in recent years has become viewed as a “fair modification” to sensitive issues, a “reasonable compromise” or a “public safety measure”.We have used regulation to combat “drunk driving” by making it illegal to have (in some places for some people) two beers and driving (no I don’t drink and yes I have had someone VERY close to me killed by one). We have used it to combat “needless violence”, to the point that shooting an attacker in your own home is a crime that YOU go to jail for and then get sued for later (guess you should have spent that 20 mins. getting through to 911).

A simple blood test before a “marriage license” (figure out why we need one at all) can tell you if there is a possibility of “venereal disease”. Strangely enough (depending on the tests used and the state) in some cases it can tell you whether the person you are marrying has been “racially honest” on the application.

It can mean filling out hundreds of forms to get a “license” to have a Church, or it can mean a criteria that precludes you from even filling for it. It can mean that all abortions require “prior counseling” by an “appointed mediator”. It could even mean waiting years before applying for a divorce and additional years before it can become final. Regulation can easily become a strong deterrent against exercising many of the freedoms we take for granted everyday. It doesn’t take away our rights, it just postpones them or makes them expensive.

Believe it or not, there was a country that had no: Income Taxes, Car Registration, Brewery licenses, mercantile licenses, zoning ordinances, the list goes on forever, and it was the USA.

If you believe regulation is a good thing, imagine being a “registered” Jew in WWII Germany or Soviet Russia and then tell your children that it can’t happen here. Remember that there were many good people in both countries that didn’t like the idea but “there was nothing we could do”, sounds familiar.

I Support Gore-lieberman. Somehow I'm Really Not At All Surprised To See...

Aug 9th. at 10:58:37 am UTC

James (Chicago, Illinois US)

Age: 34

I support Gore-Lieberman.

Somehow I'm really not at all surprised to see so many Wiccans supporting the Bush ticket. Wicca is a big religion with a lot at stake - both in growing and being recognized but also in maintaining what has become also a very big business. Wicca is definitely a growth industry. Gore on the other hand has values that actually transcend politics and finance. He would not have picked Lieberman if he didn't.

While paganism may be at odds with Christianity and Judaism theologically, I believe strongly that Gore-Lieberman reflects, inherently, respect for other beliefs. I can't see that in Bush-Cheney. Two rich oilmen from Texas we do not need running this country.

Yes, I'm Registered To Vote And Intend To Vote In The Local...

Aug 9th. at 9:24:23 am UTC

Takara (Williston, Florida US)

Age: 42

Yes, I'm registered to vote and intend to vote in the local, state, and national elections. Registered Independent, preferred Libertarian views. Due to lack of my preferred party candidates (very difficult for independents to get on the ballot here), I usually end up choosing the lesser of 2 evils, usually Democrats.

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